2016 Archive Site

Return to PickHoops.com

PickHoops Frequently Asked Questions

1.1 What is PickHoops?
1.2 Didn't you guys used to be Pick 65?
1.3 How long has PickHoops been in business?

2.1 What are the scoring options?
2.2 Can you support my different scoring/tiebreaker system?
2.3 How do you handle the "First Four" Round play-in games?

3.1 Can I enter multiple picks?
3.2 Can I enter picks for other people?
3.3 Can I see other people's picks?
3.4 When can I enter my picks?
3.5 Can I enter my picks after the games start?
3.6 Can I change picks after they've been entered?
3.7 Can I delete picks I don't want?
3.8 Can I enter a pick without creating a group?

4.1 Can I delete a group I don't want?
4.2 Is my group private?
4.2 Do you have my group information from last year?

5.1 Can I upgrade my group later?
5.2 Can I downgrade my group later?
5.3 What happens when my group reaches its bracket limit?

6.1 Can I use your site to collect money for a fundraiser?

1.1 What is PickHoops?

PickHoops hosts National College Basketball bracket contests online. Create a group, and you and your friends enter your picks. As tournament results come in, we update stats and standings automatically.

1.2 Didn't you guys used to be Pick 65?

Pick 65 incorporated and became PickHoops, LLC in 2005.

1.3 How long has PickHoops been in business?

The software that became PickHoops was created in 1996 to track brackets for our own amusement, and has gradually evolved to the masterpiece of web design you see before you.


2.1 What are the scoring options?

The numerous PickHoops scoring options are described on the scoring and tiebreakers page.

2.2 Can you support my different scoring/tiebreaker system?

If you have a scoring system or tiebreaker we don't support automatically, let us know. We may be able to add it.

2.3 How do you handle the play-in games?

The "First Four" (previously "play-in") games are played on the Tuesday and Wednesday the rest of the games start on Thursday.

We don't currently use these games for scoring or tiebreakers, so the bracket entry deadline is still Thursday before the next round of games start at 12:15 ET. You can pick the play-in winners to advance in your bracket, before or after those games are played, so long as your picks are in by Thursday's deadline.

We're paying close attention to how this works, and we're open to feedback and suggestions for alternate ways to handle these games. Contact us if you have ideas.


3.1 Can I enter multiple picks?

The group owner can decide how many picks each player is allowed to enter, from 1 to 25, per email address / login. The group owner is not subject to this restriction.

3.2 Can I enter picks for other people?

The owner of a group can enter picks on behalf of other people, regardless of whether they have registered online. This is especially useful for picks written by hand that are given to the group owner.

3.3 Can I see everyone else's picks?

Shortly after the entry deadline, everyone's picks will be visible to everyone else. Until then, only the group admin can see other people's brackets.

3.4 When can I enter my picks?

Members can enter their picks the morning after tournament seeds are announced. The deadline for entering picks by group members for the 64-team men's tournament games is 12:15 Thursday ET just before the first full round of games begin.

3.5 Can I enter my picks after the games start?

Group owners can submit late picks with no deadline. A log of all entries with timestamps is made available to all group members.

3.6 Can I change picks after they've been entered?

Yes, up until the tournament games start.

Group owners can make pick edits at any time to correct errors, with a log of edits made public to all members of that group.

3.7 Can I delete picks I don't want?

Picks can be changed without previously deleting the old picks. If you really do need to delete picks, group owners can delete them. Contact your group owner to erase unwanted picks.

3.8 Can I enter a pick without creating a group?

You'll need to find a group to join, or get some friends together and make your own pool.


4.1 Can I delete a group I don't want?

Let us know and we'll delete it for you. We'll need to know group ID to delete and the email address you used to sign up.

4.2 Is my group private?

It's as private as you want it to be. Groups can have a password; send the password only to those you want to be able to join.

4.3 Do you have my group information from last year?

Previous years' groups are archived here:
2005: http://2005.pickhoops.com/
2006: http://2006.pickhoops.com/
2007: http://2007.pickhoops.com/
2008: http://2008.pickhoops.com/
2009: http://2009.pickhoops.com/
2010: http://2010.pickhoops.com/
2011: http://2011.pickhoops.com/
2012: http://2012.pickhoops.com/
2013: http://2013.pickhoops.com/
2014: http://2014.pickhoops.com/
2015: http://2015.pickhoops.com/


5.1 Can I upgrade my group later?

You can upgrade your group to handle more brackets at any time for the difference in price plus a $1.00 transaction fee.

5.2 Can I downgrade my group later?

In general, no. We have to make server allowances and purchasing decisions based on how many brackets you expect to receive for your group, even if you don't actually reach that number later.

5.3 What happens when my group reaches its bracket limit?

Your group members can initially enter brackets above and beyond your limit. We'll notify you that your group is over the limit, and you can elect to delete some brackets down to your limit or upgrade your group. This system prevents your members from being locked out if there is a problem with the upgrade process.


Suspect you'll need more than the maximum brackets in the largest group we advertise? Let us know, we may be able to offer you a larger group.

6.1 Can I use your site to collect money for a fundraiser?

We can't directly collect your money for you, but we have a number of tools to make your life easier.

At the top of your PickHoops group (using the Message of the Day feature), you can include a button to your Paypal account to collect money for your fundraiser. Then you can use the Memo field in your Member admin page to keep records per person, and/or the Approved field in your Bracket admin page to keep track of which brackets are paid.


Still have a question? Ask us!